Acrylic baths have appeared on the sanitary ware market relatively recently. 10 years ago, you could only buy a cast-iron or steel bath, which, as a rule, was of a standard shape, and differed only in size.
With the advent of acrylic baths, the situation has changed, since now the range is so wide that customers have difficulty choosing a specific model. Acrylic bathtubs are widely used because they are easy to manufacture, have a low weight and a wide variety of shapes, that is, they are devoid of the disadvantages of cast iron and steel bathtubs. The advantage of acrylic bathtubs is also their relatively low cost.
Consider the main characteristics, as well as rank the best manufacturers of acrylic bathtubs in 2022.
Content
Let's start our review of acrylic bathtubs sold on the market by comparing these products with their competitors - cast iron and steel bathtubs.
The advantages of acrylic-based bathtubs include the following:
Like any other product, an acrylic-based bathtub has some disadvantages:
In order to decide which bath is better to buy, it is necessary to study the main criteria by which these products differ from each other. Acrylic bathtubs are characterized by the following parameters:
The starting material for the manufacture of acrylic baths is a complex polymer composition of methacryl and polymer esters. Acrylic bathtubs can be made from 2 types of starting material:
The material of manufacture directly affects how much the bath costs. The second variety (ABS) is not used in its pure form, as it is used to make the base, which is then coated on top with a layer of PMMA. ABS is essentially a flexible plastic, while PMMA is a material close in quality to glass.
A bathtub based on ABS is not durable (service life does not exceed 5 years), since this material has porosity, due to which, over time, the product begins to absorb water and collapse. Since the ABS layer makes up about 90% of the thickness of the bath, the thin layer of PPMA coating wears off and the bath quickly becomes unusable. These bathtubs are usually inexpensive, and an inexperienced buyer can make the mistake of choosing price over quality.
Plumbing fixtures made from PMMA are more expensive than ABS products, but they have a longer service life (10-12 years) and are less prone to mechanical damage (chips, scratches, etc.).
What to look for when choosing an acrylic bath? The functionality and reliability of acrylic bathtubs directly depend on the quality of the reinforcement. In production, reinforcing layers (from 1 to 5) are applied to the finished product from the outside.
Most buyers believe that in order to assess the quality of the reinforcing layer, you need to carefully examine the end of the product. A high-quality bath is covered with a reinforcing layer evenly around the entire perimeter. Unscrupulous manufacturers, knowing that a potential buyer will inspect the quality of the bathtub reinforcement at the end (where it is easiest to evaluate), can reinforce these places better than on other parts of the product.
Experienced buyers are advised to pay attention to the reinforcement of the entire product as a whole, special attention should be paid to hard-to-reach places.
In accordance with the recommendations of experts, when examining the bath, you need to press your finger on its coating, and if it does not bend, you have a quality product in front of you. When externally inspecting the product, you can also use a flashlight - the product should not be translucent through, otherwise it is recommended to refrain from such a purchase.
With all the variety of acrylic bathtubs offered, when choosing a specific model, one should be guided by the main characteristic - ease of use.
The optimal height of the product is 60-70 centimeters from the floor level. This height allows both adult family members and children to use the bathroom.
The optimal width for a person of average build is 80 centimeters.At the same time, many modifications are sold, thanks to which even a full person will be able to choose a suitable bath for himself.
The length of the bath is selected taking into account the dimensions of the room and the growth of all family members. If the plumbing is equipped with a headrest, the required length of the product is calculated based on the height of the person minus 10-15 centimeters. If there is no headrest (as a rule, for budget models), the required length of the bath is equal to the height of the person.
The optimal depth of the bath is determined based on the distance between the lowest point of the product and the drain hole. This distance should not be less than 50 centimeters (so that the water in the bathroom covers the human body).
According to the location in the room, plumbing is divided into longitudinal and with an angular design. Longitudinal products are installed along the wall, and corner products are adjacent to one of the corners. Bathtubs placed in the corner can be either left-handed or right-handed, which is recommended to consider when buying. Most often sold rectangular baths. They also produce products of non-standard shape: oval, semicircular, round, square, multifaceted, “quarter of a circle”. The popularity of rectangular models is explained by the low price and convenience of location in a standard bathroom with a small area.
Each bathtub is installed on a special frame, which not only makes it stable, but also acts as a reinforcing element. The larger the capacity of the product, the stronger the frame should be.
In order to buy a quality product, you need to figure out what kind of frames are. The simplest frame consists of a metal frame, which is located under the bottom of the product. In this case, the side walls of the product are not reinforced in any way.The service life of such a bath is not long, and if it has a large capacity, it will quickly become unusable due to deformation.
Experienced buyers recommend choosing products with a frame that also reinforces the side walls. At the same time, the more points of support plumbing has, the more reliable and durable it will be.
The advantages of acrylic bathtubs include the possibility of equipping with additional devices for comfort. So, products with a jacuzzi function are popular with buyers. Jacuzzi products compare favorably with other models in that they have a positive effect on health by exposing the human body to hydromassage, which is sometimes supplemented by chromotherapy (exposure to ultraviolet rays on the skin). The massage effect is achieved due to the circulation of air bubbles in the water, which gently affect the human body. Important parameters include the number of nozzles - the more there are, the better the massage effect.
Exposure to ultraviolet rays improves blood circulation in the skin, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
There are other options that equip acrylic bathtubs. These include the presence of a special shelf for a laptop, the ability to listen to music, LED lighting, etc.
Important! Only the best manufacturers equip their products with high-quality Jacuzzi and chromotherapy, since the cost of these options increases the average price of sanitary ware, and not every buyer can afford products of this level. You should not buy budget models of acrylic bathtubs with additional options, as such products are not able to perform their functions efficiently.
In order to determine which bathtub of which company is better than others, we will rank the best manufacturers of acrylic bathtubs in 2022. According to customer reviews, the products of foreign manufacturers are superior in quality to domestic ones, so we will start our review with them.
Consumers prefer the following brands:
Since every bathtub buyer needs a unique set of desired features, it is impossible to make a rating that will work for everyone. A description of the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs from different brands will allow the buyer to focus on the product that he needs.
The Czech manufacturer Ravak ranks first among all sold acrylic bathtubs in Europe. The company has been producing bathtubs since 1990, and during this period has managed to establish itself on the positive side.
The quality does not lag behind the previous manufacturer and the products of the Spanish brand Roca.
There is only one drawback - when buying a bathtub from this manufacturer, it is advisable to give preference to products made in Spain, since the Russian factory is known for frequent manufacturing defects.
The baths of the Polish brand Cersanit are considered the best value for money.
Another Czech brand Vagnerplast was the first manufacturer of acrylic bathtubs in Europe. Products of this company are made from 100% PMMA.
The Polish manufacturer Kolo is also well known in the market and is in good demand among buyers.
Riho bathtubs are made of high-quality acrylic, thanks to which the wall thickness is at least 6 mm. As a rule, for products with a capacity of more than 300 liters, the wall thickness is more than 8 mm.
The Spanish company Pool Spa specializes in the production of designer bathtubs with a range of all kinds of additional options. The company's products are of high quality, but at the same time the cost is appropriate.
Russian-made bathtubs lead in terms of sales in Russia due to the fact that the cost of these products is low.In large quantities, such products are bought by developers for the construction of new residential buildings. However, ordinary buyers who do not have a lot of money also often buy plumbing fixtures from domestic manufacturers.
The products of the following Russian manufacturers won the greatest popularity among buyers:
Acrylic bathtubs Triton are made on the proven equipment of the American manufacturer. Some models are made by hand. They are usually stronger and better than those made in a conveyor way, but at the same time they cost an order of magnitude more expensive.
The Russian company BAS is also famous for its high-quality and modern products.
1Marka brand products are made of acrylic with a wall thickness of 4-6 mm, which determines the strength of the baths. The range of offered products is very wide, starting from simple rectangular ones, and ending with designer models with a jacuzzi, chromotherapy and other functions.
The products of the Russian company Radomir are made exclusively by the casting method, with an acrylic layer thickness of at least 5 mm.
Aquanet products are designed for different categories of customers.
Most experts consider the products of this manufacturer to be the best on the Russian market.
Of the rectangular baths, the Roca Hall 170×75 bath stands out. She has a standard shape without unnecessary bends, with straight and even sides.
The most popular among the quarter-circle baths is the bathtub of the Russian manufacturer 1Marka PICCOLO 150×75 without hydromassage.
At the same time, compactness for many buyers is both an advantage and a significant drawback - it is difficult to fit comfortably in the bath, so it can only be used for bathing children and taking a shower by adult family members.
The best-selling bathtub in the high price range is Triton ISABELLE 170x100. The cost of such a bath starts from 55,000 rubles. For this price, the buyer will receive a product with a capacity of 270 liters, with a comfortable headrest and a hydromassage function.
Considering the variety of acrylic bathtubs on offer, it is difficult to decide on a model that will combine the best value for money. We hope that our rating will help you in this difficult matter. When buying an acrylic bathtub, we advise you to take into account not only the appearance and quality characteristics of the product, but also check with the seller what set of options and completeness are included in the price of the product, since connecting additional functions, setting nozzles, as a rule, is not included in the price of the product.